The Emergency (World War II)

On 2nd September 1939 Dáil Éireann declared a state of emergency in Ireland, allowing the passage of the Emergency Powers Act 1939, giving new powers to the government and coining the phrase by which World War II would be known in Ireland. A recruiting campaign began and the Defence Forces reached a height of almost 41,000 soldiers in April/May 1941 while the Local Defence Force reached a strength of 106,000 by June 1943. Approximately 170 aircraft crashed or force landed on Irish territory during the period. Separate internment camps were established at the Curragh for both Allied and German personnel. In addition to the bombing of the North Strand in Dublin, bombs were also dropped in Campile, Dundalk, Monaghan, Carlow and the Curragh.